As Published on ShoutOutUk


Now that the climate summit that is COP26 has come to a close, let’s take a look at the activities that didn’t quite make the headlines but certainly added the much-needed energy and charisma to the proceedings.


Controversy, Protests and Disappointment

Controversy accredited to COP26 has been rippling through the UK the past weeks, culminating in protests throughout November.

COP26 (Conference of the Parties) is the annual UN climate change conference. Marketed as ‘A pivotal moment in the fight against climate change’, several key leaders and influential people came to Glasgow to discuss how to combat environmental issues. Notably, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were absent. The cause of controversy was the growing discomfort amongst different groups that COP26 is a shambles and a façade. Most of all, that the conference has not done enough to make a difference.

I had the chance to go to the protests happening around Glasgow and talk and photograph the activists taking to the streets to have their voices heard. The discontent was deafening, and the media has taken notice, firing people’s voices all over social media.

It has become common knowledge that the richest UN countries have failed to deliver the promised $100bn to developing countries by 2020. This highlights the shadow of imperialism that still hovers over the issue of climate change today. It is no secret that indigenous communities feel the heat of climate change disproportionately more than the western world.


This year’s activists

Minga Indigena were protesting the inequality of climate change and the lack of coalition between communities and countries. Their aim is to ensure that indigenous leaders can fully enter international space to participate effectively in global decisions such as COP26. These leaders come from areas such as the Andes, the Amazon, and Northern Alaska with a wish to further climate and biocultural diversity. The need to protect water sources is vital to Minga Indigina as they try to educate people on indigenous cultures, which advocate that water is the source of life. With Climate change negatively impacting fragile ecosystems and relationships with springs, rivers, and lakes Minga Indigena is voicing the global need for teamwork.

Link to more information: https://www.mingaindigena.org/minga-at-cop26